Beyond the Castle Walls

Chapter 7

Emmaline sat straight at the table, trying to push the anger down and keep a straight face. She was still extremely upset, but she knew things would not be good if he defied her father in front of Emil.

Emil still looked confused and concerned at the tension in the room, but stayed quiet none the less. He was still sat on the right side of the King, Emmaline next to him. Emmaline was grateful for Emil's silence, because she knew that if someone brought it up she would explode.

Emmaline's father began talking to Emil about something uninteresting, so Emmaline tuned him out again. She didn't care if he started talking to her and she didn't notice, Emil already knew of her flawed politeness, there was no point to pretend she was better than she was.

"Emmaline!" Her father hissed at her and she puts her fork down slowly, almost making the mistake of slamming it down.

"Yes, father?" She responds, and it comes out slightly more venomous and cold than intended. Her father narrows his eyes and she almost shrinks back and apologizes, but instead just stares back. Oh well, damage is already done. She thinks. Can't go back now, there's no point in sucking up.

"I asked you a question." He tilts his head in a challenge, but Emmaline doesn't fold.

"I didn't hear it." She raises her eyebrows, purposefully leaving the reflexive apology out of her retort.

"I asked you what you were doing in your room today." He says, eyes burning with anger.

"I was writing." She answers curtly.

"I called for you."

"I didn't hear you."

"I sent your sister in to get you."

"Then I didn't hear her."

The King's grip on his fork tightened, glaring at his eldest daughter. Elizabeth was glancing Emmaline and their father with wide eyes, quietly kicking Emmaline under the table as a warning to back down, which Emmaline ignored and continued to glare at the King.

Emmaline's mother's usually collected and polite expression has dissolved into an expression of disbelief, unsure if she should step in or not.

Emil was visibly uncomfortable, his usual smile gone from his face. He had his eyes fixed on his plate, refusing to look at either of them. Emmaline didn't blame him, the tension in room was quickly rising, she didn't know how long it would be until one of them snapped.

The King still hadn't responded to Emmaline, just had his lips drawn into a tight line. Emmaline should be scared but her anger and stubbornness was drowning out any other emotions.

He finally stands up and sets his napkin down on the table, eyes never leaving Emmaline's.

"Excuse us." He says coldly and walks down to the end of the table, placing his hand on Emmaline's back to push her out of the hall with him.

He keeps walking until they reach his study and he pushes the door shut behind them, almost slamming it.

"What are you doing?!" He seethes, taking a step towards me.

"I'm answering your questions," I snap back and he keeps walking forward. I almost step back out of instinct, but I force myself to stay in place.

"You are blatantly disrespecting me in front of the man you are to marry, who, might I remind you, has yet to propose!" He raises his voice slightly, but not enough to be heard in the dining hall. "He still has time to back out, and I would not blame him if he did!"

"Why? Do I disappoint you father?" Emmaline tilts her head mockingly, practically spitting venom.

"I don't think you want the answer to that question." He hisses, but regret flashes in his eyes when he sees Emmaline's expression drop.